(FILE PIC)The authorities on Friday imposed curfew-like restrictions in parts of Srinagar and other places in the Kashmir Valley to prevent post-Friday prayer protests.
"Restrictions were imposed in the old city areas of Srinagar and Pampore town to maintain law and order. Curfew like restrictions were also imposed in some restive parts across Kashmir while city centre Lal Chowk was sealed by police prohibiting people passing through the road.
Reports from Barzulla Srinagar said that a youth was detained after protesters organized a pro-freedom march while some youth resorted to stone-pelting. The protesters carrying placards and banners tried to hit to main road, but police stopped them while the agitated protesters pelted stones on them.
Peaceful rally was also carried out in Pirbagh Srinagar after Friday prayers.
A pro-freedom protest and rally was taken out in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Reports said that shortly after Friday congregational prayers people took out a peaceful pro-freedom rally.
Government Forces used PAVA shells to disperse protesters in Kangan town of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Eyewitnesses told CNS that a large number of youth shortly after Friday prayers hit to roads and clashed with government forces. The protesters resorted to stone-pelting while Forces used tear-smoke shells and PAVA shells to disperse them. At least six person were injured during the clashes.
A peaceful pro-freedom march was taken out in Anantnag shortly after Friday prayers.
Reports said that a pro-freedom march was carried out from Jamia Masjid Shangus in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Large number of people participated in the march that was led by Tehreek-e-Hurriyat District President Mir Hafizullah. The participants raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
A pro-freedom march was also taken out from Khudwani area of Kulgam district that was attended by a large number of people. Shortly after the culmination of march, protesters clashes with government forces. Reports said that at least 8 people received injuries during the clashes.. Protests and clashes were also reported from Dooru area of the Anantang district where government forces fired tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Locals alleged that government forces fired tear-gas shells into the premises of residential houses.
More than a dozen persons were injured in clashes with government forces in Pulwama district in south Kashmir on Friday. Reports and witnesses said that clashes erupted in Tral, Tahab, Newa, Nikas, Koil and Dalipora villages of the district after congregational Friday prayers. Six persons each were injured in clashes in Tral and Tahab, they said. Protests were also held in Kareemabad, Kangaan, Rohmu and Kakapora area of Pulwam district.
Strict restrictions had been imposed in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district while government forces launched a crackdown in old town Baramulla and conducted door-to-door searches. Locals said that heavy contingents of Rashtriya Rifles, police and CRPF cordoned off the area and arrested more than 30 persons. The search operation according to locals was carried out in Suhail Colony, Eidgah Qadeem, Drangbal areas of the district.
Reports said that pro-freedom rallies were taken out in different areas of North Kashmir’s Sopore town.
A police official said that the barring few incidents of stone-pelting situation remained peaceful across Kashmir. “Barring a few stray incidents of stone pelting, situation across the valley remained by and large peaceful today till filling of this report. As a preventive measure restrictions were imposed in some parts of Srinagar. Last evening some unknown militants fired upon one Mohammad Aamir Bhat son of Mohammad Younis resident of Cheirmarg in the jurisdiction of Police Station Zainapora, Shopian near his home, resulting in injury on his right thigh.
He was shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for treatment where from he was referred to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for further treatment. Shopian police has registered a case in this regard,” the police official said.
Meanwhile, continuing its sustained drive against miscreants/hooligans found involved in disrupting public order in different parts of the valley, police has arrested 72 more such people during past 24 hours. (CNS)